Mission of the Graduate Studies Program
The mission of the graduate program in the Division of Animal Sciences is to provide an academic environment that results in highly competent professional animal scientists who will become leaders in academia, agribusiness and government.
Opportunities at the University of Missouri
The Division of Animal Science offers graduate study leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Areas of specialization include genetics and genomics, environmental physiology, meat science, nutrition, reproductive physiology, and production and management. Beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry, swine, a variety of laboratory animals, and captive wild animals, through a collaborative arrangement with the St. Louis Zoo, are available for research.
Recent graduates are faculty members at more than 60 colleges and universities in the United States as well as in positions in government and private industry.
Graduate enrollment in Animal Sciences at MU averages 55 full-time students, of which 60% are seeking an M.S. and 40% a Ph.D. Students are nearly evenly divided between male and female, and 85% are from the U.S. More than 90% of students are supported on assistantships, fellowships, or as employees. Assistantships are currently $15,606 for M.S. and $18,207 for Ph.D. students and include a complete waiver of tuition and subsidized health insurance. Additional support is available for students with exceptional merit.
Research Facilities
The Animal Science Research Center covers nearly five acres, and provides the research laboratories, classrooms, and offices for the research, extension and teaching faculty of the Animal Sciences Department of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). The ASRC has facilities for intensive study of livestock and laboratory animals. The South Farm of CAFNR is a 1,452 acre agriculture experiment station located approximately three miles southeast from campus. South Farm provides a field laboratory for scientific discovery, provides training facilities for undergraduate and graduate students, and supports educational experiences in production agriculture and basic sciences. South Farm and other Animal Sciences farms serve multiple disciplines including beef, dairy, swine, horse, and poultry.
Financial Assistance
Assistantships and fellowship awards are available on a competitive basis in each degree area for qualified students. Awards are based on an evaluation of the applicant's potential and motivation for graduate study. Annual stipends for MS and Ph.D. candidates are comparable to other institutions and include a waiver of tuition.
Qualifications for Admission
M.S. Degree Program
General Admission (Minimum Requirements)
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3.0 Cumulative GPA (4.0 basis)
- GRE Scores: 146 verbal and 146 quantitative
- 500/173 TOEFL Score (if English is not national language)
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Approval of Advisor*
Probationary Admission for one Semester (Minimum Requirements)
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 2.6 Cumulative GPA
- 3.0 GPA for last 60 hours undergraduate courses
- GRE Scores: 143 verbal and 143 quantitative)
- 500/173 TOEFL (if English is not national language)
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Approval of Advisor*
- Approval by Director of Graduate Studies of coursework proposed for probationary semester. A 3.0 GPA must be received the first semester of enrollment to continue in the Animal Sciences Graduate Program.
*Admission to an advisor’s program is contingent upon the availability of resources to provide both laboratory facilities and experimental materials needed to conduct the anticipated research program.
Ph.D. Degree Program
General Admission (Minimum Requirements)
- M.S. Degree (with Thesis)
- GRE Scores: 146 verbal and 146 quantitative
- 500 TOEFL Score (if
English is not national language)
- 500 (paper based)
- 173 (computer based)
- 61 (internet based)
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Approval of Advisor*
The following item must be submitted directly to the Graduate Admission Office:
If you complete the on-line application for Graduate Admission, please forward the following materials directly to the Graduate Admission Office:
- Your official transcripts from every college or university you have attended (sent directly from the college or university)
- Your official GRE scores (sent directly from the Educational Testing Service)
- Your official TOEFL scores (sent directly from the Educational Testing Service) *International Applicants only
Graduate Admissions
210 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
800-877-6312
573-884-8488
The following items must be forwarded directly to the Animal Sciences Unit for review:
1. Statement of career objectives
2. Three reference letters
3. Resume
Please contact the Animal Sciences Unit with questions about these supplemental admission materials.
Animal Sciences Unit
159 Animal Sciences Center
920 East Campus Drive
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-7446
Useful Links
Graduate School Application Instructions
Graduate Student Annual Review Form
For more information contact:
Cinda Hudlow
email
159 ASRC
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-7446